Gardens of Delight

Erica James has written some excellent and moving books (eg 'Precious Time') but this one is more like a TV soap than a novel. There are rather too many characters, although the major ones emerge fairly quickly. But the book is written from multiple viewpoints, meaning I didn't get to know any of them very well.

I didn't like the bits that felt like research - the descriptions of houses in Italy, or lists of obscure plants - but there weren't too many of them. On the whole I thought the pace was good, and the conversations realistic. It was certainly readable, and I was interested to know how the many situations would resolve themselves.

I wouldn't recommend it as an introduction to this author, but it's not as bad as I thought the show more first time I read it.

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The villagers are off on 'The Garden of Delights' tour. Each has their own reasons for going; some are passionate about gardens, others are along for the ride, some to keep an eye on others. All are in for some surprises!

This book takes a long while to get going, but when it does it has it's twists and turns - most of which you can see coming!

An enjoyable light read, but it's not going to change your world.

As with others of James's recent books, there is a bit more darkness to this story than in some of her earlier work. There are a couple of characters who may fairly be called villains! It was an enjoyable and satisfying read with a number of characters and subplots which never became confusing; the travel and garden descriptions were a nice addition.

(BookCrossing, 27 Aug 2011)

I wouldn’t normally read this genre (womanlit?) but couldn’t resist the setting on Lake Como. That part is done well, but the book OPENED with an editing error (someone being subordinate rather than INsubordinate!) and it didn’t really hold my attention, though it was competently enough done and passed the time. I never really engaged with or cared about the characters, and it seemed over-planned and under-executed in parts, not properly thought through in others.

A good bit of fun and nonsense. An easy holiday read, I always enjoy and Erica James and then forget all about them !

A good example of romantic fiction for women. Good to take on holiday.